Alexander Sorloth’s towering header gave Atletico Madrid a narrow 1-0 win against Alaves in La Liga on Sunday, continuing their distant pursuit of leaders Barcelona.
Diego Simeone’s side remain fourth in the standings with 41 points, level with Villarreal, who are third with a game in hand, after Saturday’s 0-2 defeat to Real Betis.
Barcelona leads the table with 49 points, despite a 1-2 defeat to Real Sociedad on Sunday.
In what was a largely uninspiring affair at the Metropolitano, Atletico dominated possession but struggled to find penetration against a disciplined and compact Alaves defence.
The first half, characterized by its ill-tempered nature, contained many fouls and few moments of quality.
MORE FROM LA LIGA 2025-26: Real Sociedad stun Barcelona 2-1 to end leader’s winning streak
The home side’s best chance came in injury time before half-time, when Thiago Almada’s shot from close range on the goal line was blocked by Victor Parada.
The winner arrived three minutes into the second half when Pablo Barrios whipped in a precise cross from the right flank, allowing Sorloth to rise above the defense and head the ball into the net via the post.
The Norwegian’s goal proved decisive in a match that offered little in the way of excitement other than Alex Baena’s curling strike from just inside the penalty area in the 70th minute, which deflected off the right post.
Alaves tried to make a late run for the equalizer but ended the match with no shots on target.
“We may have suffered too much, but in the end we won,” said Atletico midfielder Barrios. DAZN.
«They went forward in the end and with the wear and tear of the whole match we fell back… But it is normal to suffer because there are never easy games in La Liga. I prefer to stick to our overall performance.»
Published on January 19, 2026
